Blackett: “We’ve got to be switched on”

24 November 2016

Defender says Royals are focused on attacking Saturday's clash with the Robins

Reading defender Tyler Blackett says the Royals have their sights firmly set on keeping momentum going this weekend against Bristol City, and are determined to keep their focus to try and make it five wins in a row in the Sky Bet Championship.

Blackett and his teammates know, despite back to back defeats, the Robins can be a dangerous side and are expecting a close encounter come 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

“There is a real confidence in the squad,” admitted Blackett. “It’s all about keeping a level head and taking it day by day and game by game. We are all looking to keep progressing so we can achieve what we want to.

“Bristol aren’t in great form but we know they will pose a threat so we know we’ve got to be switched on. We’ll try to attack this one the way we have with the other games over the last few weeks, we want to come out confident and try to impose ourselves on the game really quickly.

“We want to make sure we start the game on the front foot and be the better team throughout the 90 minutes.”

The former Manchester United defender says there is a real togetherness within the Royals squad this season and he is enjoying playing under manager Jaap Stam.

Four clean sheets in the last four games for Reading has been pleasing for Blackett, with there being a good mix of youth and experience in the Reading back four. The 22-year old says the back line is developing and improving game by game.

“We’ve got good players within the squad and a great group all together,” reflected Blackett. “We know what we can do and what we’re capable of it’s making sure we achieve that every game.

“There is a good mixture of youth and experience in our back four, we’re trying to keep this good defensive run going and try and help each other out whenever we can in training as well as on the pitch in games.

“It is a process and this season has seen a real progression. We try to do the right things every day in training, the gaffer and the staff they really get over to us what we need to be doing,” he continued. “We’ve built on our early performances and have tried to get better each time.

“I watched Jaap as a defender when I was growing up in that Manchester United team so to work with him every day is a great feeling. He is a good coach and helps me and all the other players everyday try to improve. We know as a team and collectively as a club what we want to achieve.”